Probably most famous for its premier NASCAR race—the Daytona 500—there’s much more to see and do in Daytona Beach than watching cars race around a track, including museums, culture and festivals, not to mention its famous beaches!
Just an hour east of theme park and character-filled Orlando, Daytona Beach offers visitors a relaxed vibe, perfect for truly getting away from it all.
Take It All In
The Daytona Beach Symphony Society is celebrating its 60th annual season in 2012 with music, opera and ballet from around the world. Catch performances of Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty by the Moscow Festival Ballet and Verdi’s La Traviata by Teatro Lirico D’Europa at the Peabody Auditorium. The Nordwest Deutsche Philharmonic and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra are also on the roster of upcoming highlights.
In addition to the area’s beaches, nature lovers will want to be sure to check out the endangered manatees in their natural habitat at Blue Spring State Park.
Start your engines and get in on the fun! Daytona Beach starts getting revved up during Speedweeks in anticipation of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 on February 26.
For a quieter scene, stroll along the beach or the Daytona Beach Pier, browse through the galleries at the Harvey W. Lee Jr. Memorial Gallery-Mary McLeod Bethune Fine Arts Center, or take in a bird’s-eye view of the area from the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in Florida. You may decide to kayak the area’s quiet waterways, or bike the trails—maybe even pack a picnic lunch and simply enjoy the calmness of a local park. It’s up to you!
Feast on This
All of this activity is sure to inspire a healthy appetite, and you’re in luck when it comes to dining options in Daytona Beach. There’s fresh seafood served at many restaurants in the area, including Joe’s Crab Shack, Chart House and Park’s Seafood Riverside. You’ll also find Italian, German, Thai and even Honduran-Cuban fusion dining establishments.
With an ever-changing landscape, Daytona Beach recently welcomed its newest oceanfront hotel, the Lotus Inn & Suites. The contemporary, luxurious, elegant hotel brings with it an air of sophistication. And here’s a tip—if you’re travelling with the family, you may want to book Zen or Sutra as each offers the convenience of a kitchenette.
You may come to Daytona Beach for the speed, however you’ll enjoy your time more when you slow down enough to appreciate and savour all the area has to offer.
Travel Planner
For more information on Daytona Beach, visit daytonabeach.com.
